NSA Analysts Intentionally Abused Spying Powers Multiple Times

Source: Bloomberg.com

August 23, 2013

Some National Security Agency analysts deliberately ignored restrictions on their authority to spy on Americans multiple times in the past decade, contradicting Obama administration officials’ and lawmakers’ statements that no willful violations occurred.

“Over the past decade, very rare instances of willful violations of NSA’s authorities have been found,” the NSA said in a statement to Bloomberg News. “NSA takes very seriously allegations of misconduct, and cooperates fully with any investigations -- responding as appropriate. NSA has zero tolerance for willful violations of the agency’s authorities.”

The incidents, chronicled in a new report by the NSA’s inspector general, provide more evidence that U.S. agencies sometimes have violated legal and administrative restrictions on domestic spying, and may add to the pressure to bolster laws that govern intelligence activities.

The inspector general documented an average of one case per year over 10 years of intentionally inappropriate actions by people with access to the NSA’s vast electronic surveillance systems, according to an official familiar with the findings. The incidents were minor, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss classified intelligence.

8. They're pulling the numbers out of their NSAsses

Booz Allen have already said they "can't" monitor the internet activities of their own employees. Meaning they don't want to because then they'll have to acknowledge said employees' wrongdoing. I don't believe anything they say.

4. more proof that the NSA panic is overblown.

Only ten instances in ten years. The NSA is responding to the public debate. That these intentional abuses were found in their own audits and reported to news agencies is a good sign. It's a positive step in progressive efforts to monitor the NSA

9. Do you honestly believe that?

"Ok, Ok, NSA personnel / contractors broke the LAW oh....I don't know....10 times in the last 10 years. And we caught them ourselves, of course. Satisfied?! Now go on about your petty, little lives. Move along. Nothing to see here. Trust us."

One thing I've learned in nearly 50 years of life is if it can be done, it will be done and if it's profitable or advantageous in any way, despite the risk, it will be done a multitude of times.